7 key reasons why you should consider setting up a LinkedIn group. Learn how doing so has benefited others and get invaluable tips from managers of existing well-run groups. Why the majority of LinkedIn groups fail and how to avoid your group becoming one of them. Find out what LinkedIn members say makes a LinkedIn group valuable...and what they don't like (you may be surprised!) Step-by-step instructions for setting up a group those you wish to attract will want to join, including templates you can adapt to make the process much quicker and easier. Best practices for maintaining your group to ensure members keep returning again and again (really important if you want them to hire you).

1. LinkedIn Groups
a golden opportunity
http://bit.ly/1gVTk02

2. If you want to …



Raise your profile
Find and engage more of your ideal prospects, and
Get new work
then
LinkedIn groups are a great tool
http://bit.ly/1gVTk02

3. Well-run groups are their own community
of people with similar interests
They’re a fantastic place to find and engage your prospects


Join groups to which your ideal prospects belong
Consider setting up your own group if there’s a gap
(or badly run group) in that area
http://bit.ly/1gVTk02

4. 7 reasons to run your own LinkedIn group







Build your profile in your area of expertise
Position yourself as an authority in your area
Find and attract those with similar interests or who
may need your help
Widen your professional network by building
relationships with group members
Learn more about the views and perspectives of
those in your industry
Establish a community
Generate interest in you and your
organisation, including inbound enquiries

5. How to set up and run
a LinkedIn group that
delivers value
to its members
http://bit.ly/1gVTk02

6. STEP 1: Plan








What’s the purpose of your group? What
product/service are you looking to build a
community around?
What’s the scope of discussions you want to see?
Who do you want to join?
What benefits will your group offer to these people?
Why should they join?
What benefits will your group offer to these people?
Why should they join?
What will you name your group?
Who’s going to help you manage it?
What discussions will you start each week?
http://bit.ly/1gVTk02

7. STEP 2: Create your group


Use keywords in the name if you want people to find
it.
Write a clear summary and description that will
appeal to those you want to join.
http://bit.ly/1gVTk02

8. STEP 3: Invites

SKIP the step which prompts you to send invitations
to join your group
Why would anyone want to join an unpopulated group?
http://bit.ly/1gVTk02

9. STEP 4: Populate your group with at least 2
discussions
A welcome discussion is always a good one, as people
like to comment on these.
http://bit.ly/1gVTk02

10. STEP 5: Get your house in order



Select your settings and permissions
Draft your group rules and templates
Set up sub-groups (if appropriate)
http://bit.ly/1gVTk02

11. STEP 6: Group Owners

Pre-approve your group managers (you can have up
to 10 including the Owner) and a few ‘friendly’
clients and colleagues who you’d like to join the
group early
Ask them to comment on the existing discussions and to
add their own so that, when you invite others to join, there
is already some activity
http://bit.ly/1gVTk02

12. STEP 7: You’re now ready to invite others!



You can use LinkedIn’s standard one liner but it
doesn’t really tell people why they should join so…
Consider a personalised email that tells people WHY
they should join.
Work from a template so that you’re only having to
insert their name each time.
http://bit.ly/1gVTk02

13. STEP 8: Commit to the ongoing moderation
of your group


If people have to request to join or have their
discussions approved before they’ll post (a good
option to prevent spam), ensure you, or one of the
group managers, goes in at least once a day to do so.
It’s really frustrating for group members if they try to
post something and it takes a week or two to be
approved – often it’s out of date by that time.
http://bit.ly/1gVTk02

14. STEP 9: Start one new discussion each
week in the early days


You need fresh, relevant content if you want people
to return to your group.
You’ll need to drive this until the group takes on a life
of its own.
http://bit.ly/1gVTk02

15. STEP 10: Comment on others’ discussions
and stay involved in threads that you start


Consider summarising these at the end, or
Putting together blog posts summarising a
discussion. Remember to give credit to each
contributor.
http://bit.ly/1gVTk02

16. STEP 11: Continue to invite people to join the
group and encourage others to do so

Ask your PA to send out a certain number of invites
on your behalf each week.
http://bit.ly/1gVTk02

17. STEP 12: On your website …




Promote your group
Add it to your email signature
Your newsletters
Your blog
http://bit.ly/1gVTk02

18. STEP 13: Look for opportunities to move
relationships beyond LinkedIn



Hold an event or a webinar for group members
Invite someone in the group to write a guest article,
Seek a group member’s opinion on something.
The opportunities are endless
http://bit.ly/1gVTk02

19. STEP 14: Monitor & analyse key statistics




Track its growth,
Determine what’s working well,
Understand what you need to do differently, and
Track leads generated by the group
http://bit.ly/1gVTk02

20. The complete guide to setting up your group
If you would like more info about setting up and running a
successful LinkedIn group, download our e-book for NZ$18.97
“Complete Guide to LinkedIn Groups: Network with the right
people. Generate new leads. Get new business”
(available as a pdf and Kindle format)
http://marketingforprofessionals.co.nz/complete_guide_linkedin_groups
http://bit.ly/1gVTk02